300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

rvannatta · 07-21-2016, 10:27 PM - **3 Likes**

The camera guy (me) messed this one up big time. I was pursuing this bird in an overgrown parking lot by driving around and shootingout the window with a F*300 4.5 and a 1.4xconverter. This quail
isn't much on flyway away from you but they will run away from you. I circled around and got in front of him, but then I was suddenly too close. I really didn't have time to kick off the converter
when the bird turned and stared at me. I cut the birds feet and tail off, but nailed the head..... IT could be that I should try to salvage this by turning into just a head shot....

AFterall the point of the photo is the 'head shot'..... Note how fearsome this otherwise rather passive bird is when it looks directly at you. --- sort of explains its color scheme that
has no message at all when you look at the usual profile. Anyhow it's the straight in the face look that put this photo here, not my miserable technique.

same photo as above but I carried out my ruminations as aggressive cropping. Can you see the giant black mouth????

**WPRESTO** · 07-22-2016, 04:10 AM

The face-on shot is OK. The expression (if birds have one) looks to me more quizzical than threatening (owls, hawks, eagles head-on look imperious). Insofar as birds have no facial muscles below the skin as mammals do, they''re pretty much limited to opening the beak to a greater or less extent to vary the facially communicated "mood."

**Scorpio71GR** · 07-22-2016, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Racer X 69

Nice cobwebs.

Thanks, I did not even know they were there until I processed the files.

Ducatigaz · 07-22-2016, 10:15 AM - **6 Likes**

A couple of shots from my car today. K-5/FA*600mm F4 ED [IF] on an Eckla window mount

littledrawe · 07-22-2016, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by Kameko

Anna's Hummingbird

Props for getting this one on the Ricoh Facebook page the other day! And get some Chacos for wading

**dadipentak** · 07-22-2016, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by rvannatta

Can you see the giant black mouth????

Yep, maybe like a striking snake--good insight into the possible usefulness of the design.

**riseform** · 07-22-2016, 05:47 PM - **21 Likes**

Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560
I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level

**csa** · 07-22-2016, 06:15 PM

Those hummer photos in the nest are absolutely amazing! Fantastic captures; once in a lifetime opportunity!

Kameko · 07-22-2016, 07:43 PM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by Chris Mak

Hello Kameko,

I will be curious to see your future results with the DA560 + 1.4tc combo. In my experience, it has a high learning curve, which has to do with understanding and getting to know its limitations mainly: the focal length for me (always shooting handheld) meant rediscovering the maximum shutter time, but overall the AF limitations and the loss of light make this a pretty demanding combo to get good results with. Shooting the bare lens is a revelation after forcing myself to make use of the longer focal length of the combo. Still, you can get terrific shots with it.

Chris

I went out one day w/the DA560 + 1.4tc combo, determined to learn how to use it (in a day) and was so disappointed with the results. I've been hesitant to pair the 2 since then. AF is a non-issue for me, but the F8 really hurts unless it's a nice, sunny day. Maybe I'll try using the combo more often.

Those grebe shots are killer! They never, ever sit still for me!

Originally posted by littledrawe

Props for getting this one on the Ricoh Facebook page the other day! And get some Chacos for wading

Thanks! I wouldn't have noticed if someone hadn't commented about it on Flickr. You should see the wading shoes now, they've gone from jet black to grey

Here's one from today w/the 560

cleaverx · 07-22-2016, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by riseform

Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560
I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level

Amazing shots with a great detail. I am getting K-1 next month. Can't wait to use it with my Pentax SMC 500mm f/4.5 and SMC A 400mm f/5.6.

**Weevil** · 07-22-2016, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by riseform

Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560
I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level

Wow the details, light and color are incredible!

Sigmund · 07-23-2016, 02:04 AM - **3 Likes**

They've been cropped and enlarged 2 X.

Both from the Finke R in the Northern Territory, said to be one of the oldest rivers on the planet at c. 300 million years. Most of the time it's a string of ponds.

Whistling Kite and White-necked Heron.

Chris Mak · 07-23-2016, 03:23 AM - **9 Likes**

Originally posted by Kameko

I went out one day w/the DA560 + 1.4tc combo, determined to learn how to use it (in a day) and was so disappointed with the results. I've been hesitant to pair the 2 since then. AF is a non-issue for me, but the F8 really hurts unless it's a nice, sunny day. Maybe I'll try using the combo more often.

That sounds very similar to my initial feelings towards this combo. I almost sold the 1.4tc converter! But don't give up, you can actually get great results with the combo, and you get a reach that gets you close. Having a lot more pixels to work with also lessens the downside of the loss of light somewhat. Here are some recent shots that show you where I am at this point with the combo, although I like shooting the bare lens a lot more when out in the wild.... All were handheld as I always do.

Originally posted by Kameko

Those grebe shots are killer! They never, ever sit still for me!

JML69 · 07-23-2016, 05:21 AM - **3 Likes**

Me wants a DA560

.......But I will have to settle for the DA*300 and TC for now. A couple from last evening.

**WPRESTO** · 07-23-2016, 05:25 AM

Originally posted by riseform

Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560
I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level

That's a great set. I like the second one especially - in a great fluff.

07-21-2016, 10:27 PM - 3 Likes	#22591
rvannatta Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Apiary, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,181	another california quail shot with the one on previous page The camera guy (me) messed this one up big time. I was pursuing this bird in an overgrown parking lot by driving around and shootingout the window with a F*300 4.5 and a 1.4xconverter. This quail isn't much on flyway away from you but they will run away from you. I circled around and got in front of him, but then I was suddenly too close. I really didn't have time to kick off the converter when the bird turned and stared at me. I cut the birds feet and tail off, but nailed the head..... IT could be that I should try to salvage this by turning into just a head shot.... AFterall the point of the photo is the 'head shot'..... Note how fearsome this otherwise rather passive bird is when it looks directly at you. --- sort of explains its color scheme that has no message at all when you look at the usual profile. Anyhow it's the straight in the face look that put this photo here, not my miserable technique. same photo as above but I carried out my ruminations as aggressive cropping. Can you see the giant black mouth????

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07-22-2016, 04:10 AM	#22592
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	The face-on shot is OK. The expression (if birds have one) looks to me more quizzical than threatening (owls, hawks, eagles head-on look imperious). Insofar as birds have no facial muscles below the skin as mammals do, they''re pretty much limited to opening the beak to a greater or less extent to vary the facially communicated "mood."

07-22-2016, 09:08 AM	#22593
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	Originally posted by Racer X 69 Nice cobwebs. Thanks, I did not even know they were there until I processed the files.

07-22-2016, 10:15 AM - 6 Likes	#22594
Ducatigaz Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Blunsdon,Wiltshire, UK Posts: 1,503	A couple of shots from my car today. K-5/FA*600mm F4 ED [IF] on an Eckla window mount

07-22-2016, 03:33 PM	#22595
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	Originally posted by Kameko Anna's Hummingbird Props for getting this one on the Ricoh Facebook page the other day! And get some Chacos for wading

07-22-2016, 05:35 PM	#22596
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by rvannatta Can you see the giant black mouth???? Yep, maybe like a striking snake--good insight into the possible usefulness of the design.

07-22-2016, 05:47 PM - 21 Likes	#22597
riseform Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: WA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 473	Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560 I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level

07-22-2016, 06:15 PM	#22598
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Those hummer photos in the nest are absolutely amazing! Fantastic captures; once in a lifetime opportunity!

07-22-2016, 07:43 PM - 6 Likes	#22599
Kameko Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: White Rock Photos: Albums Posts: 450	Originally posted by Chris Mak Hello Kameko, I will be curious to see your future results with the DA560 + 1.4tc combo. In my experience, it has a high learning curve, which has to do with understanding and getting to know its limitations mainly: the focal length for me (always shooting handheld) meant rediscovering the maximum shutter time, but overall the AF limitations and the loss of light make this a pretty demanding combo to get good results with. Shooting the bare lens is a revelation after forcing myself to make use of the longer focal length of the combo. Still, you can get terrific shots with it. Chris I went out one day w/the DA560 + 1.4tc combo, determined to learn how to use it (in a day) and was so disappointed with the results. I've been hesitant to pair the 2 since then. AF is a non-issue for me, but the F8 really hurts unless it's a nice, sunny day. Maybe I'll try using the combo more often. Those grebe shots are killer! They never, ever sit still for me! Originally posted by littledrawe Props for getting this one on the Ricoh Facebook page the other day! And get some Chacos for wading Thanks! I wouldn't have noticed if someone hadn't commented about it on Flickr. You should see the wading shoes now, they've gone from jet black to grey Here's one from today w/the 560

07-22-2016, 08:57 PM	#22600
cleaverx Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 267	Originally posted by riseform Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560 I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level Amazing shots with a great detail. I am getting K-1 next month. Can't wait to use it with my Pentax SMC 500mm f/4.5 and SMC A 400mm f/5.6.

07-22-2016, 10:15 PM	#22601
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,444	Originally posted by riseform Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560 I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level Wow the details, light and color are incredible!

07-23-2016, 05:25 AM	#22605
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	Originally posted by riseform Pygmy Owl from last weekend K1, DA 560 I've always had to photograph these aiming at the tops of trees. This was the first time I've ever seen one close to eye level That's a great set. I like the second one especially - in a great fluff.